"Churches need to change the narrative on the ways they see and talk about people who have served their time and are re-entering society. Words like 'convict or felon' are not welcoming. Offer hospitality first." — The Rev. Adrienne Zackery, pastor of Crossroads United Methodist Church, Compton, California, on welcoming returning citizens.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Prisoners facing crisis during COVID-19
WASHINGTON (UM News) — United Methodists and other advocates for the early release of some prisoners say COVID-19 has exposed the broken and unjust prison systems where 2.2 million people — disproportionately people of color — live in overcrowded cells without proper protection and testing for the disease. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Read story
View webinar
Global Ministries
Supporting families through coronavirus grants
ATLANTA — Tongan and Samoan older adults in Seattle, Hispanic and Latino families in Maryland, Syrian refugees in Nashville and undocumented workers in New York City are some of the immigrant communities that have turned to United Methodist churches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief help those congregations meet the need in their communities. Christie R. House has the story.
Read story
Higher Education and Ministry
Women of Color program renamed for Current-Felder
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In recognition of her decades of work to support women of color in religious scholarship and teaching in seminaries, the Women of Color Scholars Program was renamed in honor of Angella P. Current-Felder. The scholarship program, which provides scholarships and mentoring for racial-ethnic women in doctoral programs, has supported 49 graduates to date.
Read story
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
Rethink Church
DNA of good neighboring
ATLANTA — Michelle Hettmann recalls her first visit to a predominantly Black church to be a transformative experience, even if she was initially uncomfortable about feeling out of place. That experience drove her belief that in order to minister in the community, you must first get to know your neighbors.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Preaching courageously against racism
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race will feature the Revs. Stephanie Vader, Kil Jae Park, Jay Williams and Larry Pickens in a conversation about what it means to preach courageously against racism in our world today. The video, which will air at 3 p.m. Eastern time June 24, is part of Real Talk presented on GCORR's Facebook page.
Learn more
Glendale United Methodist Church
Freedom Rider part of anti-racism workshop
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rip Patton, United Methodist veteran of the Freedom Rides that desegregated U.S. interstate travel in 1961, will be among the speakers at "Prophetic Speech: An Anti-Racism Workshop," 4:30-6:30 p.m. Central time June 25. Glendale United Methodist Church will hold the workshop on its front lawn. It will be livestreamed on the church Facebook page.
Learn about and watch the event
RECENT HEADLINES
DACA decision brings joy, but battle not over
Local churches show resilience in crisis
EVENTS
Tuesday, June 30
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.